[InTime News]
Crete received 168 activists on Friday morning from the Global Sumud Flotilla, whose vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza were stopped by Israeli forces in international waters south of Crete.
The activists were transferred from an Israeli warship to Greek vessels before disembarking at the port of Atherinolakkos, where buses and an ambulance were waiting. Organizers said two flotilla members remained with Israeli forces.
More than 20 activist boats remained south of Crete, although it was unclear whether they would continue toward Gaza. Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said Israel had informed Greece that 17 abandoned flotilla vessels were drifting in international waters and that their passengers were aboard Israeli warships and in good health.
Marinakis said Greek authorities had no jurisdiction to intervene in international waters except during search and rescue operations. Greece later asked Israel to withdraw its ships from the area. The activists had departed Barcelona in mid-April.